Title

Author

Date of Award

12-1-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

Alan W. Johnson, PhD.

Abstract

Parallel to the developments in diagnostic and prognostic technology, autonomic logistics systems (ALS) have been a potential improvement for the aircraft sortie generation process. Currently, Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office are developing a new autonomic logistics system for the multibillion F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter project, which is named the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS). Generally, researchers make an analogy between the ALS and the human bodys autonomic nervous system since both of them monitor, control, and adjust autonomic responses to external stimuli. Based on this perspective, ALS aims to switch the Air Force logistics mentality from a reactive one into a proactive one to achieve higher sortie generation rates and aircraft availability. The primary objective of this thesis is to explore the ALS concept in detail and to investigate the F-35s sortie generation process through a discrete-event simulation model developed in Arena Simulation Software.